This is the first chapter to my new work-in-progress. Reviews welcome, I would rather have honest opinions than beating around the bush, as that allows me to improve this (expected to be rather long) piece of work.
Chapter One – Train
To any passers by, the young man sprawled across the train seats would have seemed more than slightly out of place, especially in a passenger car. Fortunately, the Wednesday evening train from Deling City rarely saw more than a few passengers to a car, allowing the silver-haired student to remain unmolested for the duration of the ten hour journey, or at least until the mandatory stop at Dollet. As the train slowly ground to a halt, the young man swung his legs to the side, dislodging the guidebook that had, up until now, been covering most of his face. Adopting a seated position, the student smoothed out his knee-length black coat before running his fingers through his trademark silver hair. Finally, he opened his homochromatic eyes, surveying the few civillians that trickled into the passenger car, picking out a young girl that appeared to be walking purposefully toward him.
"Dear god" he sighed under his breath "the damn train is practically empty, and you just have to sit here..?"
Grimacing slightly, he pushed a long leather case under the seat, anticipating the intentions of the approaching young lady. Picking up the guidebook off the seat next to him, he turned his head toward the girl, head tilted upward slightly to observe her.
"Erm.." he started, a little hesitant "may I help you?"
"Well, I couldnt help but notice you have the best window seat in the entire car" the cheerful girl said as a smile lit up her face "and I was wondering if its ok to sit next to the window here".
"Go ahead, if it means that much to you" he replied softly.
"Teehee, thanks!" the girl exclaimed, rushing to the window "Im Selphie by the way".
"Sven" he stated, more as acnowledgement than any serious reply.
"Sven.." Selphie seemed to roll his name around her mouth, before her gaze dropped to the small book in his hands. "Heeeeeeey, isn't that the Balamb Transfer Student Handbook?" she exclaimed, a little too loudly for his tastes.
"Errr.. yeah.." he looked at the book clutched in his hand
"So you must be a transfer student too!" she said, almost bouncing with excitement "I just transferred from Trabia for the SeeD exam, I cant believe I found another transfer student! We could be transfer buddies!"
Sven laughed at the fowardness of the spunky young girl's attitude, before replying "Well I hope this isn't too awkward, but im one of the SeeD's that are going to be watching over you examinees.
Selphie's eyes widened as he said this. "So you already passed your exam huh? Thats so cool, I can't wait for mine, im just so excited.."
Sven closed his eyes, nodding and giving one word replies as Selphie began to ramble on about everything from the Garden Festival to GF's, silently wishing that he had picked a different car, or at least she had. But it seemed like he was stuck with her for the next few hours, beginning to drift off into a semi-comfortable sleep until he was rudely snapped back to uncomfortable reality by a soft poke on the nose. "For fuck sake, what could it be now?" he thought to himself.
"Heeeeeeey, are you even listening?" Selphie said as she glared at him accusingly. "you know its not very polite to fall asleep when people are talking".
"Sorry, the motion of the train does that to me" he lied, opening his eyes and stretching slightly, before turning to face her once again.
"Aaaaaanyway, as I was saying.." she started up again "Trabia usually specialises in magic studies, so its interesting to see how other gardens-" she jolted slightly in her seat, noticing his eyes for the first time. "Ah.. not to be rude.. but-"
"Its the eyes, right?" Sven cut in, almost accusingly.
"Thats SOOOO COOOOOL!" Selphie exclaimed, practically squealing with delight, throwing Sven off guard.
"...What?" Svens eyes widened, unsure how to respond to her increased enthusiasm.
"Its amazing" she said, beaming. "I cant believe I never noticed it before. I have never seen somebody with two different eye colors before, its cool!"
"Ah.. thanks" replied Sven, regaining a little composure "though to be honest, I never really liked them that much. Having one blue eye and one green eye kinda makes you a target for bullies when you are a kid".
"Well I think its cool, so there!" said Selphie in a mock-pout. "All the other kids were probably just jealous".
Sven smiled for the first time that trip. "She sure has a contagious personality" he thought to himself. "perhaps being "transfer buddies" wouldnt be too bad after all". Putting his boots up on the vacant seat in front of them, he began to give her a brief overview of his life story, growing up at Galbadia Garden, having no memory of his parents, throwing himself into his training, the friends he left behind, his decision to transfer to Balamb, growing more and more comfortable with the girl sitting next to him with each passing minute. "It's just so easy to relax around this girl" he thought, as they began sharing funny stories from their years in seperate Gardens, smiling for the first time since leaving his friends behind. As he felt the train slow, he seemed to feel a sense of loss as they both stood up, the "ding dong" chime sounding to announce they had reached Balamb town. After running his hands through his hair, he reached down to retreive the long leather case, before getting the rest of his luggage from the overhead locker. Stepping off the train into the mostly empty station, he was just about to head out the front gate until he heard quickly paced footsteps behind him. Turning, he spotted Selphie sprinting to catch up with him. A confused look crossed his face, until he spotted the reason she was so eager to catch up to him. Slightly red-faced, he walked to meet her as she approached, his guide-book in his hand"
"Ahh thanks" he muttered, more than slightly embarassed as she handed him the book.
"Its nothing really" she replied enthusiastically, bouncing slightly as she stood. "After all, we are transfer buddies".
Sven laughed slightly. Her mood seemed to catch him off guard more than he would ever admit. Still smiling, he thanked her before picking up a town map and heading out the gate into Balamb town. As an afterthought, he called out behind him
"Dont be late to Registration tomorrow"
"I wont" came the reply amidst her chuckle
Turning right past the junk shop, he headed down the spiraling path tho the Balamb Hotel, desperately needing a decent rest after the spine-numbing seats on the train. Checking in, he trudged up the stairs to his room, swiping the key-card and dumping his luggage beside the king-sized bed. Kicking off his boots, he sprawled out on the bed, setting his alarm laying back. As he sank into the plush covers of the bed, his mind began to play back the days events, before he drifted into peaceful oblivion.
Well there you have it, chapter 1. Chapter 2 is nearing completion, so hopefully that will be up by the end of the week. suggestions on future content welcome
"This is gonna be one hell of a party!" - Dante from DMC3